ARIZONA

State of Arizona

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Probably from the Pima or Papago Indian word arizonac, meaning "place of small springs." NICKNAME: The Grand Canyon State. CAPITAL: Phoenix. ENTERED UNION: 14 February 1912 (48th). SONGS: "Arizona March Song" and "Arizona." MOTTO: Ditat Deus (God enriches). FLAG: A copper-colored five-pointed star symbolic of the state's copper resources rises from a blue field; six yellow and seven red segments radiating from the star cover the upper half. OFFICIAL SEAL: Depicted on a shield are symbols of the state's economy and natural resources, including mountains, a rising sun, and a dam and reservoir in the background; irrigated farms and orchards in the middle distance; and a quartz mill, a miner, and cattle in the foreground; as well as the state motto. The words "Great Seal of the State of Arizona 1912" surround the shield. BIRD: Cactus wren. FLOWER: Blossom of the saguaro cactus. TREE: Palo verde. OFFICIAL NECKWEAR: Bola tie. LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Lincoln's Birthday, 1st Monday in February; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 5 AM MST = noon GMT.